Reviews community development projects in Nicaragua that use the multiplier effect in which people learn from each other. Projects include volunteer community health promoters, women's family gardens cooperatives, soil and water conservation programs, a women's collective, and a wheelchair repair workshop. (SK)

Strength training is considered a male activity, but physicians are recommending it to women who want to keep their musculoskeletal systems strong and flexible as they age. This article discusses goals and problems of strength training for women and suggests it as an adjunct to cardiovascular fitness exercises. (SM)

Study evaluated bicycling habits and helmet use in 100 university students. Only 31 owned helmets, and 17 wore them during most trips. Helmet ownership was most strongly associated with previous injuries. Ethnicity and possession of bicycle injury insurance were also factors. Perceived risk was an important factor in helmet use. (SM)

Longevity is leading to four-generation societies and transcendence of governmental and conventional age-controlled productivity. Elderly women's numerical superiority are influencing a firmer attitude toward self and lessening stereotypes of women as caregiver of the ill and elderly. "Fourth-age" people see empowerment as necessary for…

A study of 125 sophomore preclinical dental students found that these young professionals, because of having a low prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) antibodies, are at risk for acquiring a primary HSV infection when treating HSV positive patients and should take precautions to avoid virus transmission. (MSE)

Presents a primer for health educators about blood donation and transfusion, examining the nature of human blood, the background of blood transfusion, blood donation criteria, risks related to homologous blood transfusion, directed blood donation, potential alternatives to homologous transfusion, and resources for education on the subject. (SM)

For public recreation, park, and leisure services to prosper in the financially troubled 1990s, they will have to be recognized as a primary health provider. By today's standards, health, recreation, and leisure are practically synonymous. The article rethinks the concepts of health, illness, parks, and recreation. (SM)

Contends that the disproportionately high rate of human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infections among African Americans should be approached from a social and political perspective and should not be viewed as merely a result of individual behavior. Considers HIV/AIDS risk factors and health and social…

Discusses the following barriers to reducing the infant mortality rate: (1) fragmented and bureaucratic federal prenatal care programs; (2) insufficient number of rural public health clinics and private practitioners willing to serve low-income expectant mothers; (3) lack of health insurance; and (4) the high-risk behavior and motivation of…

A 56-hour interdisciplinary, train-the-trainer model was developed for lay health ministers in African American churches in Tennessee. Workshops examined aging, health promotion, and prevention. The program increased networking and community resources but encountered problems in religion's effect on health beliefs and in the need for cultural…

The Take Heart Project in 36 worksites sought changes in tobacco use, cholesterol, and fat intake. Employee steering committees selected brief, low-intensity health education and environmental change activities. The project is an effective way to tailor interventions to worksites, taking into account site and employee characteristics and previous…

The fundamental purpose of wellness is to maximize human potential. Describes the dimensions of wellness and identifies some habits that can foster growth within each dimension. Gives examples of societal norms that detract from wellness and those that enhance wellness. Urges schools to integrate the wellness lifestyle throughout all curriculum…

Wellness programs are most effective when they combine the protocols of emotional health, education, and exercise. Offers guidelines on self-responsibility, stress, nutrition, and exercise. Includes a self-test for measuring your wellness. (MLF)

Presents a descriptive analysis of 13 nationally available smoking cessation programs. To gather data, researchers used a review form that measured program setup, duration, cost, techniques, success rate, availability, and discussion of issues involved with smoking cessation. Researchers also examined program manuals and interviewed program…

Introduces a series of articles on peer health education, noting why this journal issue is devoted to peer education. Discusses the definition and structure of peer education, structure of the issue, overview of peer education, existing programs, customized interventions, and a training design for peer education programs. (SM)